Matuhi Street Reserve playground upgrade

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The old playground equipment at Matuhi Street Reserve

Share your thoughts on the proposed playground design

Share your ideas


The playground equipment at Matuhi Street Reserve in Waikanae has reached the end of its safe playing life, so we're upgrading it. This is part of our capital works programme budgeted for in our Long-term plan.

Our proposed design concepts for the new playground equipment retain the same play values as the existing equipment, although some of the features may have changed. Our goal is to design an interesting playground that meets the needs of both children and their caregivers. We also want the new designs to complement the play equipment available at surrounding playgrounds.

We have two design concepts for the Matuhi Street Reserve playground upgrade and we'd like to know which one you prefer.

Concept 1

View concept 1Designed for tamariki aged 1 to 12 years! This space is being created to be fun, inclusive, and accessible for everyone, with a mix of play styles — from climbing and sliding to imaginative and social play. The natural landscape of the park will be used creatively to keep the space connected to its surroundings.

Key Features:

1. Tree Climber Adventure (Ages 7–12)
A big highlight is the 5-metre-tall Tree Climber, a challenging climbing structure for older kids. It encourages confidence and adventure while still being safe and open so you can see across the playground.

2. Junior Play Area (Ages 1–6)
For our youngest tamariki, there's a fun, interactive space with shopfront panels, talk tubes, and easy-to-reach platforms to support early learning and social play.

3. New Tunnel Slide
We're keeping the original slope and upgrading it with a new tunnel slide built right into the hill. It’s an exciting, speedy ride that links the upper and lower levels of the playground in a fun and natural way.

4. Forest Basket Swing
A double swing set includes a basket swing, a toddler bucket seat, and a belt swing for bigger kids. The timber frame fits beautifully into the natural setting.

5. Extra Play Items
More fun features include:
  • Bobcat Rocker – a bouncy ride-on that sparks the imagination
  • Spinner Bowl – a fun, spinning seat that helps with balance and coordination
  • Accessibility & Surfaces
About half of the play area will have soft matting that’s pram and wheelchair-friendly, making it easier for everyone to join in. Surfaces are smooth and even to support tamariki and caregivers with mobility needs.

Concept 2

View concept 2

This option creates a modern, inclusive playground for children aged 1 to 12 years, designed to support physical, imaginative, and social play. The playground is thoughtfully divided into zones with challenges that grow with the kids, using the natural landscape to create a fun and inviting space for everyone.

Key Features:

1. Senior Climbing Challenge (Ages 7–12)
The Kompan BLOQX3 climbing structure is a cool, geometric climbing frame that lets older kids explore different ways to climb and problem-solve. It’s designed to be challenging and fun while encouraging teamwork and coordination.

2. Tiered Junior Play Area (Ages 1–6)
This area includes two playhouses:

  • A low playhouse for toddlers with safe, sensory play opportunities
  • A higher playhouse for older juniors that offers more active and imaginative play

There are also interactive panels and crawl spaces to encourage creative role play and social connection.

3. New Tunnel Slide
We’re upgrading the slide on the hill with a new tunnel slide that uses the existing stairs. It keeps the natural feel of the playground while adding an exciting way to move between the upper and lower areas.

4. Double Bay Basket Swing
The swing set includes a basket seat (great for shared swinging) plus bucket and belt swings for different ages and abilities, making it welcoming for all tamariki.

5. Kompan Scooter Carousel
A fun, spinning carousel that kids can ride on with scooters or by standing — perfect for building balance, coordination, and social play.

Accessibility & Surfaces
Half the playground will have smooth matting tiles to make it easy for children and caregivers using wheelchairs or prams to move around and enjoy the space safely in all weather.

Your play, your say

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the proposed design concepts. Vote for your preferred concept design for the playground and share comments and feedback on our ideas board. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or young adventurer, your feedback matters.

Here's how you can have your say:

Feedback closes at 5pm, Monday 6 October 2025

What happens next?

We'll review all feedback and work with the playground provider to explore any adjustments when we finalise the plans.

Questions?

Playground upgrades often spark plenty of questions! Check out our playground upgrade questions and answers for common queries, otherwise please ask us a question below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Keen to stay updated?

Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti(External link), to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities for youth, and other ways you can get involved.

The old playground equipment at Matuhi Street Reserve

Share your thoughts on the proposed playground design

Share your ideas


The playground equipment at Matuhi Street Reserve in Waikanae has reached the end of its safe playing life, so we're upgrading it. This is part of our capital works programme budgeted for in our Long-term plan.

Our proposed design concepts for the new playground equipment retain the same play values as the existing equipment, although some of the features may have changed. Our goal is to design an interesting playground that meets the needs of both children and their caregivers. We also want the new designs to complement the play equipment available at surrounding playgrounds.

We have two design concepts for the Matuhi Street Reserve playground upgrade and we'd like to know which one you prefer.

Concept 1

View concept 1Designed for tamariki aged 1 to 12 years! This space is being created to be fun, inclusive, and accessible for everyone, with a mix of play styles — from climbing and sliding to imaginative and social play. The natural landscape of the park will be used creatively to keep the space connected to its surroundings.

Key Features:

1. Tree Climber Adventure (Ages 7–12)
A big highlight is the 5-metre-tall Tree Climber, a challenging climbing structure for older kids. It encourages confidence and adventure while still being safe and open so you can see across the playground.

2. Junior Play Area (Ages 1–6)
For our youngest tamariki, there's a fun, interactive space with shopfront panels, talk tubes, and easy-to-reach platforms to support early learning and social play.

3. New Tunnel Slide
We're keeping the original slope and upgrading it with a new tunnel slide built right into the hill. It’s an exciting, speedy ride that links the upper and lower levels of the playground in a fun and natural way.

4. Forest Basket Swing
A double swing set includes a basket swing, a toddler bucket seat, and a belt swing for bigger kids. The timber frame fits beautifully into the natural setting.

5. Extra Play Items
More fun features include:
  • Bobcat Rocker – a bouncy ride-on that sparks the imagination
  • Spinner Bowl – a fun, spinning seat that helps with balance and coordination
  • Accessibility & Surfaces
About half of the play area will have soft matting that’s pram and wheelchair-friendly, making it easier for everyone to join in. Surfaces are smooth and even to support tamariki and caregivers with mobility needs.

Concept 2

View concept 2

This option creates a modern, inclusive playground for children aged 1 to 12 years, designed to support physical, imaginative, and social play. The playground is thoughtfully divided into zones with challenges that grow with the kids, using the natural landscape to create a fun and inviting space for everyone.

Key Features:

1. Senior Climbing Challenge (Ages 7–12)
The Kompan BLOQX3 climbing structure is a cool, geometric climbing frame that lets older kids explore different ways to climb and problem-solve. It’s designed to be challenging and fun while encouraging teamwork and coordination.

2. Tiered Junior Play Area (Ages 1–6)
This area includes two playhouses:

  • A low playhouse for toddlers with safe, sensory play opportunities
  • A higher playhouse for older juniors that offers more active and imaginative play

There are also interactive panels and crawl spaces to encourage creative role play and social connection.

3. New Tunnel Slide
We’re upgrading the slide on the hill with a new tunnel slide that uses the existing stairs. It keeps the natural feel of the playground while adding an exciting way to move between the upper and lower areas.

4. Double Bay Basket Swing
The swing set includes a basket seat (great for shared swinging) plus bucket and belt swings for different ages and abilities, making it welcoming for all tamariki.

5. Kompan Scooter Carousel
A fun, spinning carousel that kids can ride on with scooters or by standing — perfect for building balance, coordination, and social play.

Accessibility & Surfaces
Half the playground will have smooth matting tiles to make it easy for children and caregivers using wheelchairs or prams to move around and enjoy the space safely in all weather.

Your play, your say

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the proposed design concepts. Vote for your preferred concept design for the playground and share comments and feedback on our ideas board. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or young adventurer, your feedback matters.

Here's how you can have your say:

Feedback closes at 5pm, Monday 6 October 2025

What happens next?

We'll review all feedback and work with the playground provider to explore any adjustments when we finalise the plans.

Questions?

Playground upgrades often spark plenty of questions! Check out our playground upgrade questions and answers for common queries, otherwise please ask us a question below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Keen to stay updated?

Register to join the conversation, and sign up for Everything Kāpiti(External link), to get the latest on what's happening across our district straight to your inbox – including events, grant funding opportunities for youth, and other ways you can get involved.

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Vote for your preferred playground concept plan for Matuhi Street Reserve

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Page published: 25 Aug 2025, 04:06 PM